Veins

Written by: Adventure-Seeking-Juliet

When: While trying to forget about the terrible happenings of yesterday. I was up until three a.m because I had to deal with stupid shit that I didn't even want to deal with.

Disclaimer: I do not own the characters of Once Upon a Time.

A/N Much thanks to all fourteen of the reviewers! And I'd also like to thank everyone who added this story to their favorites and alerts, it means a lot! I have to say I've had a lot more support on ff than I've had on tumblr... you all mean so much to me. I hope you enjoy this chapter...and the rest of the story. It took me about three hours to work out all the kinks too, so...enjoy it.


The line up was always the most stressful part of the night. All twenty of the girls were led on stage, clad only in their costumes, and flaunted in front of the hungry Vampyres.

Belle hated it. It was like being placed on a buffet. All of the vamps watched the girls with starved expressions. Their jaws went slack, revealing the sharp points of their teeth, the color drained from their faces, and their eyes stretched into wide pits.

It was like looking into a nest of demons.

Gaston made a grand entrance, slipping behind the girls from a trap-door under the stage," Welcome, my friends! I am Gaston Thorn, owner of Vein, and these are my girls."

Gaston gestured to the row of scantily clad women and the audience erupted into cheers and claps.

"So, do you want them? Because I know I do." Gaston's mouth unhinged, showing his glistening incisors. His eyes had become black pits.

A few of the new girls reared back in fear, obviously not prepared for Gaston's show. Ashley, the newest, let out a small scream, making some of the Vamps laugh.

Gaston seemed to feed on their approval. He stalked toward Ashley, gaining even more screams and cheers from the crowd.

Belle had never seen Gaston mess with one of the new girls on stage before. She shot a look at Emma, who was gaping at the display. Neither of them were sure what to do.

Gaston had grabbed Ashley by her hair, yanking her toward him, and extended her neck in a perfect arch.

Belle took a step forward, but was too slow. With inhuman speed, Gaston had bitten down on Ashley's neck.

It wasn't a casual bite for food, either, Gaston looked as though he was eating her flesh. He pulled away, still gripping the light skin of the girl's neck between his teeth, and she screamed.

It was a loud piercing wail that made Belle want to cover her ears. The Vamps only laughed louder at Ashley's torment. Her blood had splattered out into the audience...and the vamps seemed to be enjoying the taste.

Ruby, who was closest to the new girl, was covered in red, and even Belle had ended up with drops of Ashley's blood all over her.

Gaston laughed loudest of all, then let Ashley drop to the floor of the stage," Now, if you would form a line please...and choose your girl for the night."

As the Vamps pushed and shoved their way into a line, Ruby and Belle rushed forward to help Ashley.

Belle placed two fingers at her jugular," Her pulse is still beating, but it's weak."

Ruby swallowed hard," What are we supposed to do? We can't just let her die!"

" I-" Belle thought quickly, trying to remember what her parents had taught her about fatal injuries," I'll put pressure to the wound. You should go call the hospital."

Belle tried to place her hand over Ashley's neck, but the blood was easily gushing through her fingers.

Ruby was standing stark still, staring at the pool of blood forming on the stage.

"Ruby! Go, now! You have to call the hospital."

Ruby nodded, looking stunned, then jumped off the stage. The Vamps stared at her hungrily, but Gaston managed to pull their attention back to his merchandise," Now, who's first?"

" I am."

Belle's head snapped up. It was the man who had caught her.

Unlike most of the other vamps, his eyes weren't trained on the fresh blood splattered across the room. His eyes were on her.

And they weren't empty pits, they were still a deep brown. For a moment, Belle almost thought she could pretend he was human, that he was someone there to help.

But her fantasy was shattered when he opened his mouth, revealing teeth as pointed as Gaston's.

Gaston's eyes widened when he caught sight of the other vampyre," You are...you're...Lord Gold, one of the Thirteen. The Dark One"

He bowed his head, still trembling terribly.

Gold smiled," Yes. I am also the Vampyre in charge of this sector. So, I suggest you quit stuttering and ask me what I want." His words were deep and malicious, they made Belle shudder.

She knew next to nothing of Vampyre politics, but even Belle had heard of the Dark One. He was one of the thirteen original Vampyres, known for his cruel acts and poor toleration for humans.

When she had been a child, her parents had convinced her to say inside by saying that the Dark One would eat her. It was a common tale- that the Dark One had a penchant for the blood of the innocent.

Gaston spoke quietly," What would you like, m'lord?"

His gaze traveled to Belle," Her. The one in the...gold."

His gaze seemed almost carnal in nature, there was a fire burning in them that Belle knew had nothing to do with a hunger for blood.

Gaston was hesitant," Very well, m'lord. An hour with Miss Belle-"

" I do not want an hour. I am in need of a personal donor...and a caretaker for my rather large...estate," Gold drawled the words out, watching Gaston's reaction with interest.

Gaston's lips thinned in anger," She is not for sale. She is mine."

Belle glowered up at the two of them," I am no one's property, Gaston."

He ignored her, but Gold once again turned his eyes on her.

Belle shivered and looked back to Ashley. Her blood was slowing...and Belle could do nothing more for her. She could no longer feel her pulse.

Belle closed her eyes, trying not to break down. Not in front of Gold. Not in front of Gaston. Or the other vamps.

Without looking, she gently closed Ashley's unseeing eyes, then stood.

Both Gold and Gaston were watching her.

" I cannot sale her to you, m'lord," Gaston snapped," I cannot sale any of the girls."

"Then perhaps I'll just have to take all of the girls, by force, Mr. Thorn. How does that sound?"

Gaston stiffened," Please, take any of them! Any but her. I will not her give her to you."

Belle stepped forward angrily," No one decides my fate but me!" She stepped past Gaston, so that she could peer into Gold's face.

He was staring at her, his eyes lit up in surprise.

"If I go with you, will you leave my friends in peace?" Belle asked. She clasped her hands together, so he couldn't see how bad she trembled.

He nodded," If that is what you want. Do you request anything else of me?"

Belle nearly snorted at the note of annoyance in his voice. She couldn't blame him...the Dark One had been reduced to giving into the whims of a silly human girl.

"I only ask one other thing of you, my lord. Though you could steal me away without fulfilling any of my wishes, I would very much like if you could make sure...my father is allowed to stay in Storybrooke."

Gold glowered at her," Can your blithering father not fend for himself? The annual fee is not so steep."

"It is for him. He is bed-ridden." Belle snapped," And your fee does not provide for those who cannot provide for themselves."

Gold was silent for a moment.

"Very well. I will provide for your father...if I have your word, dearie." He stretched a hand up to her expectantly.

Belle took a deep breath," I will go with you."


A/N So that's it for now, let me know what you think! And if anything was confusing, do not worry, I'm expanding upon all the technicalities and such in the next chapter. Review?